ATHENS, Ga. -- One week from today recruits across the country will sign national letters of intent, beginning what they hope will be college careers that culminate with their selection in the first round of the NFL draft.

It's an amazing time for recruits. They are courted and wooed by some of the nation's top coaches. Championships and All-American honors are promised. Stardom is just seven months away.

For some of those recruits, however, their athletic careers peak the day they sign. For whatever reason -- off-the-field issues, injuries, lack of drive, attitude problems, lack of talent -- they don't make it. Sometimes they don't even make it to the field.